Matt Williams | Catcher

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The Nationals announced Saturday that they exercised their 2016 option on manager Matt Williams.

It's a nice reward for the skipper after leading his club to a 96-66 record and taking home National League Manager of the Year honors in his first season on the job. With the seemingly historic rotation that he'll have at his disposal, the Nationals will enter the 2015 season as a leading candidate to represent the National League in the World Series. Feb 21 - 8:14 AM

The Baseball Writers Association of America announced Tuesday that Matt Williams won the 2014 National League Manager of the Year award.

The Nationals flamed out in the NLDS against the Giants, but this is a regular season award so it's no surprise Williams won after guiding his club to 96 wins in the regular season. He received 18 of 30 first-place votes, with Clint Hurdle finishing runner-up and Bruce Bochy coming in third. Tue, Nov 11, 2014 06:26:00 PM

The Baseball Writers Association of America announced Tuesday that Bruce Bochy, Clint Hurdle and Matt Williams are finalists for the National League Manager of the Year award.

Bochy won his third World Series title in the last five years, but postseason results are considered by voters. Williams' Nationals lost in the NLDS, but they won 96 games in the regular season and that alone probably makes the first-year skipper the favorite here. The winner will be announced next Tuesday. Tue, Nov 4, 2014 06:20:00 PM

The Nationals announced Friday that they will hire Mark Weidemaier to serve as an advance coach, focused solely on defensive alignments.

Weidemaier will be in uniform and in the dugout, and will act as sort of a liaison between the coaching staff and the advance scouts and video scouts. With the noticeable change in philosophy and proven effectiveness of over-shifting and radical defensive alignments, it's very encouraging to see a forward-thinking organization create this new position. Don't be surprised when many other organizations follow suit in the coming years. Fri, Nov 1, 2013 10:24:00 PM

Nationals manager Matt Williams said that Jayson Werth (shoulder) will be limited early on in spring training.

Werth underwent surgery in early January to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder. The original timeline called for 2-3 months of rehab time and he's currently a little over six weeks into the process. He's aiming to be ready for Opening Day, but it's going to be close.

Nate McLouth (shoulder) expects to be ready for the beginning of the 2015 regular season.

And he could start in left field on Opening Day if Jayson Werth (shoulder) isn't ready. McLouth underwent surgery last August to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He's nearly up to speed with the other position players in Nats camp this spring.

Nationals outfield prospect Brian Goodwin will be monitored in camp after having surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder late last season.

It doesn't sound like anything that might put his availability for Opening Day in question. Goodwin, 24, is set to return to Triple-A to start the season after struggling in his first go-round at the level in 2014 with a .219/.342/.328 batting line.

He's now set to throw three bullpen sessions per week over the next four weeks. "It's great. It's a good feeling because it's been over a year since I've been on the mound," Davis said. "It's a major milestone for me, but I understand that the work is not done. I'm going to keep working hard on the field." Davis likely won't be game-ready until around midseason. He can aim for a September call-up.